🇬🇹Guatemala · UNGA 81 speech
Representative
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Thank you very much. The delegation of Guatemala exercises its right of reply in reference to the statement of Xun Bisenya, the Prime Minister of Belize, in today's general debate. We would like to note the following. Guatemala is a country that is committed to international law, and we are a firm promoter of the peaceful settlement of disputes, and we believe in the effectiveness of multilateral mechanisms. In that framework, we have submitted territorial claim against Belize to the ICJ. Guatemala categorically rejects the serious accusation that a plane of the Guatemalan Air Force overflew the territory of Belize. This flight never happened. At all times, Guatemala has respected its obligations on the basis of the UN Charter, including Article 2, paragraph 4. We recall and we would like to tell Belize that there are already mutually agreed upon monitoring mechanisms, such as the one in the office administered by the Organization of American States in the aforementioned area, and we will be asking that office to investigate the supposed incident. And for this, we will submit all relevant reports and even the plane in question. Both states have recognized the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice to put an end to this territorial, insular, and maritime dispute. Guatemala deeply regrets that Belize uses this forum to spread misinformation, using this territorial dispute with Guatemala as an instrument for domestic policy. This is a flagrant violation of the 2005 agreement and undermines the confidence-building measures. The General Assembly is not the appropriate forum to discuss issues that have currently been referred to the International Court of Justice in a case whose oral audiences will be held, oral hearings will be held at the beginning of 2027. As we have pointed out in several occasions, we will comply with the court's decision in good faith. Guatemala reiterates its commitment to strengthen its bilateral relations with Belize on the basis of mutual respect, peaceful cooperation, and respect for international law. I thank you.